Lexington, KY - April 29, 2003- Two dressage riders representing the US, Christine Beal of Fallbrook, CA, and Tina Hayden of Cave Creek, AZ, were the finalists selected to compete at the IRT Young Rider Pacific Challenge held at the Werribee Park National Equestrian Center in Australia on April 23 and 24. Kathy Connelly of Wellington, FL, served as the Chef d’Equipe. Riders from Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Africa and the United States competed on borrowed horses.

Hayden, a gold medal team member and individual silver medallist at the 2001 North American Junior Dressage Championship and Beal, Silver Medal Team member a the 2002 North American Young Rider Championship, finished in second place in the team competition behind Australia and followed by New Zealand. Overall, Beal finished in 5th and Hayden in 6th place. “Tina and Christina did a wonderful job acclimating to their borrowed horses. They rode well and represented the U.S. very well. I was very proud of them and they were a joy to coach,” commented Connelly.